Cosplay Props Rules & Regulations

Please keep in mind that Laval Comiccon is a family-oriented show, and the rules regarding weapons are designed to keep everyone safe.

Laval Comiccon is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all persons attending the convention. Any item that Laval Comiccon believes may be a weapon must be immediately taken to Weapons Check for examination. Weapons that Laval Comiccon determines are admissible will be marked with an identifying tag and may be brought into the convention. Any weapon that Laval Comiccon considers to be inadmissible must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention. Any prohibited (illegal) weapon must be removed from the convention. The decision of the Weapons Master, or their designate, is final and will be strictly enforced to ensure a safe environment for all attendees.

Laval Comiccon Weapons Policy

Please keep in mind that Laval Comiccon is a family oriented show, and the rules regarding weapons are designed to keep everyone safe.

Failure to respect any of the weapon rules may result in any or all of the following:

Confiscation of weapon or item, without return;
Loss of admission to the show without refund;
The involvement of law enforcement agencies; and/or
Other actions deemed appropriate by Laval Comiccon.

DEFINITIONS

Weapon is defined as any item or object that the Criminal Code, the Comiccon Weapons Master, or their designate, considers to be a weapon.

Weapons Master is the representative of Comiccon who implements and enforces the Comiccon Weapons Policy- either directly or via designated staff. The decision of the Weapons Master, or their designate, is final.

Prohibited Weapon is a weapon that is not allowed to be possessed, displayed, or sold in Canada. These illegal weapons are banned from Comiccon and must be immediately removed from the convention centre. Comiccon reserves the right to notify law enforcement agencies.

Inadmissible Weapon is a non-prohibited (i.e. legal) weapon that has been examined by the Weapons Master, or their designate, and is not permitted to be brought into the convention. A legal weapon may still be considered an inadmissible weapon at Comiccon (e.g. a metal sword). The weapons must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention. Some weapons sold by Exhibitors are inadmissible and are subject to the procedures in the Special Circumstances section below.

Admissible Weapon is a weapon that has been examined by the Weapons Master, or their designate, and is permitted to be brought into the convention. A small identifying tag will be affixed to the weapon to identify it as admissible.

Weapons Check is the area, or areas, at Comiccon where all items that may be considered weapons are inspected by Comiccon and determined to be either prohibited, inadmissible, or admissible.

Examples of Prohibited Weapons

If it is illegal outside the convention, it is illegal inside the convention– and therefore banned from Comiccon. Examples include (but are not limited to):

Firearms of any kind;
Bali-song (“butterfly knife”) or switchblade/drop blade style knives, and all similar items, including butterfly combs;
Brass knuckles or knives/blades attached to brass knuckles;
Spiked wristbands;
Morning Stars or flails;
Concealed knives or blades in normally innocuous items that are less than 30 cm in length;
Hand crossbows;
Nunchucks, tonfas, shurikens, or similarly prohibited martial arts weapons and,
Law enforcement items such as batons, Tasers, or mace.

Foam replicas of these items are admissible, upon inspection, except Butterfly knives and derivatives.

Click on this links below to review the Canada Border Services Agency’s and Justice Canada’s information regarding prohibited weapons:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-13-2-eng.html

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-98-462/FullText.html

Note: Although some types of cane swords, umbrella swords, and similar items may not be prohibited in Canada, ALL such items are banned from display, sale, or possession at Comiccon.

Examples of Weapons | Inadmissible and admissible

Comiccon reserves the right to determine the admissibility of any item or weapon, on a case-by-case basis.

Inadmissible Projectile Weapons

Working Airsoft/Tagball/Paintball pistols, rifles or other similar devices:
- Admissible if all mechanism inside are pulled out and left home. They cannot be in working state. Not having the gas container or projectiles isn’t enough, but is also mandatory;
- Please note that we will put a zip-tie around the trigger so that it can’t be used.
Pellet guns, BB guns, or similar devices;
- None, never, no matter what you did with it.
Flintlock or muzzle loading weapons or similar devices (which are not considered “firearms” under the law):
- Admissible if completely unusable (filled with glue, no hole in the muzzle, no mechanism, unworking replica, etc.);
Decommissioned firearms of any kind;
Replica firearms and close imitations that can fire:
- Admissible as long as they cannot fire (e.g. a musket that does not have the proper firing chamber, or a pistol that does not have a bored barrel);
Any prop, item or weapon that is capable of firing any projectile or powder charge of any kind.

Admissible Projectile Weapons, under certain conditions

Nerf guns and other foam dart guns are admissible, but they must not have any foam darts loaded at any time:
- Please note that we will put a zip-tie around the trigger so that it can’t be used;
Water guns:
- Please note that you can’t shoot any liquid in the convention. The barrel has to be empty, and we will put a zip-tie around the trigger so that it can’t be used;
Bows, crossbows (but not hand crossbows- they are Illegal Weapons), and slingshots are admissible but only if they are de-strung or strung with light string, yarn, or a similar material and cannot fire a projectile; and,
Arrows, bolts, and other projectiles used in bows, crossbows, or slingshots are only admissible if they are made of foam or cardboard.

Inadmissible Swords, Blades, Knives and other Melee Weapons

Hard plastic replica weapons made from polypropylene or similar items;
Cane swords, umbrella swords, or similar items;
Metal swords, metal knives and other active martial arts weapons;
Metal weapons purchased at the convention are subject to the policy direction in the

Special Circumstances section below;

Metal chains or other similar items;
Blunt weapons (made of heavy wood, hard plastic, or metal) such as baseball bats, cricket bats, and hockey sticks;
All of this section (Inadmissible Swords, Blades, Knives and other Melee Weapons) is admissible if the item is made of a light wood, or light plastic, or foam, and if it has blunt edges and blunt points.

Admissible Swords, Blades, Knives and other Melee Weapons under certain conditions

Canes and umbrellas are admissible as long as they are made of light wood, plastic or light metal such as aluminium, and without any sharp edge or point:
- Please note that if you use a cane in real life, you are allowed to use that cane in the convention;
Light Bokkens (practice sword made of light wood);
LARP sword, axe, and etc., made of foam or latex.

Shields and Armour

Wooden, plastic, and metal shields are admissible if they do not contain sharp edges nor any sort of sharp spikes or other protrusions:
Armours are admissible if they do not contain sharp edges nor any sort of sharp spikes or other protrusions.

Light Sabers

Light Sabers are permitted if their blade/bulb is not made of glass, and if they don’t have a metal claw on their handle.

Miscellaneous

Sonic Screwdrivers (Doctor Who) are admissible as long as they aren’t fully in metal, and they have no sharp edges or point;
Magic Wands are allowed as long as they are in plastic, foam or light wood or light metal such as aluminium;
Household items (wrench, spatula, frying pan, etc) are admissible as long as they are in plastic, foam, or light wood or light metal such as aluminium;
Real electric tools (drills, etc.) must be render unusable (no battery, no cord);
Selfie Sticks are not allowed inside the convention.

Wheeled/Tracked/Jumping Devices

Skateboards, rollerblades, roller skates, unicycles, bicycles, hoverboards, scooters and similar devices.
Pogo sticks, spring shoes, jumping shoes, kangaroo shoes, and similar devices.

Prop Weight, Shape and Material Restrictions

Any items with sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight or any other features that are deemed dangerous to others by the Comiccon are inadmissible.
There is no set weight limit for items, but Comiccon reserves the right to prohibit heavy items on a case-by-case basis.

Lasers

Comiccon prohibits all laser pointers in the convention. If a prop or weapon includes a laser pointer, it must be rendered non-functioning (e.g. batteries must be removed).

TL:DR

Nothing illegal;
Nothing in metal;
Nothing that can actually shoot;
Nothing with sharp edges;
Nothing with sharp points;
Nothing too heavy;
Nothing on which you will roll;
No selfie sticks;
If you are still unsure, send us an email (weapons@montrealcomiccon.com) with a lot of details and pictures, if needed, and we’ll help you as best as we can.

Procedures

Comiccon reserves the right to require that any item entering the convention, or which is found to be anywhere within the convention, be made available at any time for examination by Comiccon staff to determine the item’s admissibility status.

Any item that Comiccon determines may be a weapon must be immediately taken to Weapons Check for examination (or examined on the convention floor by the Weapons Master, or their designate, if they are circulating around the event). Weapons that already have a tag may be re-sent to Weapons Check to validate the tag. Comiccon staff may escort the weapon to Weapons Check.

The Comiccon Weapons Master, or their designate, will examine the weapon to determine its admissibility.

Admissible weapons will have a small identifying tag affixed to the weapon- in a location determined by the Weapons Master, or their designate. The tag must remain on the weapon for the duration of the convention. Tampering, altering or removing the tag during the convention may result in the weapon being determined as inadmissible and/or the removal of the person from the convention.

Inadmissible weapons must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention.

Prohibited weapons must be immediately removed from the convention centre. They cannot be stored at Weapons Check. Comiccon reserves the right to notify law enforcement agencies.

Any inappropriate behaviour with a weapon, which puts the safety of any person or property at risk, will not be tolerated. This includes horseplay, mock fighting, or other activities deemed inappropriate by Comiccon.

Refer to the Special Circumstances section below for the procedures related to Inadmissible Weapons that are displayed, offered for sale, and purchased at the convention.

Inadmissible Weapons stored at Weapons Check will be returned to individuals as they are leaving the convention.

Failure to respect these requirements may result in the weapon being confiscated without return.

It is the individual’s responsibility to pick up their checked weapons as they exit the convention. Any props or weapons left with the Weapons Master beyond the closing of Weapons Check on Sunday become the property of Comiccon.

Weapons Check schedule is as follow:
1. Friday: Opens 1 h 30 before VIP’s entrance

Closes 30 minutes after the Dealer’s room

Saturday: Opens 1 h 30 before VIP’s entrance

Closes 30 minutes after the end of programming

Sunday: Opens 1 h 30 before VIP’s entrance

Closes 30 minutes after the end of programming

Special Circumstances

Inadmissible Weapons Purchased from Exhibitors

Inadmissible weapons on display and/or being sold by Exhibitors must be safely secured to the display surface if they are within reach of attendees (i.e. attendees must not be able to pick up the weapons). As part of normal shopping behaviour, attendees are permitted to handle inadmissible weapons- but must remain under the direct supervision of the Exhibitor.

Exhibitors may only display (including under the counter displays and items stored out of sight) or sell weapons or any other items that are permitted to be sold by all applicable provincial and federal laws and regulations (i.e. they are not prohibited) and only to persons who are legally entitled to purchase and/or possess the weapon or item.

The display or sale of prohibited (illegal) weapons or items may result in an Exhibitor being removed from the convention and/or other actions deemed appropriate by Comiccon.

Demonstrations

For safety reasons, Exhibitors must not conduct demonstrations of inadmissible weapons or other items in the aisles or other similar areas. Such demonstrations should be conducted behind the counter, table or within the allotted booth space, and must be supervised by the Exhibitor.

After the Sale

Once a weapon has been sold, it must be securely wrapped in thick paper or cardboard and cannot be taken out of such packaging at the convention. Exhibitors must remind the attendees buying weapons that if they are found opening the packaging on the convention hall floor, the weapon in question will be confiscated. It is the Exhibitor’s responsibility to inform attendees of the requirement to keep their purchased weapons securely wrapped while at the convention.

Admissible Weapons Purchased from Exhibitors

The Exhibitor must inform the attendee purchasing the weapon to bring said weapon or item to the Weapons Check at the entrance and have it tagged as an admissible weapon. Exhibitors are required to explain to attendees that if the weapon is not tagged, they may be confiscated.

If an Exhibitor wants to arrange for mock battles to show off their LARP weapons during convention hours anywhere on the convention site, they must have prior approval from Comiccon. Such requests should be directed to ryan@montrealcomiccon.com.

Exhibitors are reminded that all participants in mock battles must not damage convention centre, Comiccon, or other Exhibitor property and must be extremely careful not to endanger or injure bystanders.

Costume Masquerade

If attendees wish to include the use of a weapon in their Masquerade appearance, they must seek and receive approval from the Comiccon Masquerade Director prior to the registration deadline (mascarade@montrealcomiccon.com). The Masquerade Director may consult with the Weapons Master when considering the approval of a weapon. Approval will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and always at the full discretion of Comiccon.

Autograph Signing

Attendees who wish to have an inadmissible weapon signed by a Guest must immediately report to Weapons Check when they enter the convention, and leave the weapon at Weapons Check. The Weapons Master coordinator will get in touch with the proper Guest Liaison, to verify that the Guest accepts to sign such a weapon. If he accepts, the inadmissible weapon will be escorted by Comiccon to and from the Autograph area at the designated time. After being signed, the weapon must immediately leave the convention or be stored at Weapons Check.

Contacting Comiccon about the Weapons Policy

If you have any questions regarding the Weapons Policy, please contact Comiccon prior to the convention at weapons@montrealcomiccon.com

For any questions regarding weapons, which weapons can be sold in Canada, and what constitutes proper wrapping, please contact the Weapons Master via the contact information provided above.

While the Weapons Master may offer advice prior to the convention on which weapons are appropriate, Comiccon reserves the right to determine the admissibility of any weapon at the time of the convention, regardless of any prior information provided.

* * *

Revised by:

Human Resources Department

July 2019

Weapons and Large Props Rules and Regulations